Fast Facts

In 1962, made her New York stage debut in an off-Broadway production of Jean Genet's The Blacks.

One of the founding members of the Negro Ensemble Company.

Breakthrough role came in 1972 when Norman Lear cast her as Florida Evans on the CBS sitcom Maude; her character was so popular that she was soon spun off onto her own show, Good Times, which focused on Evans' family.

Was an honorary chairwoman for the President's Committee on the Employment of the Handicapped.

Awards

1975, Golden Globe — Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy: Nominee

1979, Emmy — Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Special: Winner

Relationships

Jonathan Rolle — Father

Rosanna Carter — Sister

Elizabeth Rolle — Mother

Estelle Evans — Sister

Oscar Robinson — Ex-husband

College

Attended Hunter College, New York, NY; attended the New School for Social Research, New York, NY; Spelman College, Atlanta, GA (1942)